Layout Artist
Salary

Layout Artists in the United States are not likely to strike it rich; they only make around $47K annually on average. The bottom of the pay range sits near $23K, and the top verges on $81K per year. For the most part, Layout Artists enjoy their work and report high levels of job satisfaction. Not all workers are lucky enough to have benefits; in fact, approximately one in four are without coverage. Medical insurance is claimed by a majority and dental insurance is reported by more than half. Men make up a slight majority of Layout Artists (55 percent) who responded to the survey. This overview is based on answers to PayScale's salary questionnaire.

XTotal Pay combines base annual salary or hourly wage, bonuses, profit sharing, tips, commissions, overtime pay and other forms of cash earnings, as applicable for this job. It does not include equity (stock) compensation, cash value of retirement benefits, or the value of other non-cash benefits (e.g. healthcare).

XTotal Pay combines base annual salary or hourly wage, bonuses, profit sharing, tips, commissions, overtime pay and other forms of cash earnings, as applicable for this job. It does not include equity (stock) compensation, cash value of retirement benefits, or the value of other non-cash benefits (e.g. healthcare).

Job Description for Layout Artist

Layout artists deal with the visual aspect of publications. They make decisions about how to arrange images and text to create a look that will appeal to a publication's audience. The types of publications layout artists work with might include articles, posters, newspapers or ad copy.

Most layout artists nowadays use programs such as Adobe InDesign for pagination. Some smaller or older businesses might still use older techniques of manually pasting copy together instead of using software, but computer graphics software is generally key to this occupation.

Layout artists work with a variety of people from advertising executives to copy editors regarding the images and copy they wish to present to their audience or the public. They usually also work closely with a managing editor and/or an art director. Most layout artists are formally trained in graphic design or a related field. In addition to being technically trained, layout artists are creative people who have very strong communication skills, and a keen eye for detail and design aesthetics.

Layout Artist Tasks

Implement layouts across platforms and sources.

Work with team members to update, retouch, alter, and edit layouts.

Execute drafts and final layouts according to pitches and specifications.